Fluid compressor



E. A. FORD YFLUID COMPRESSOR Jan. .28, 1941.

3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 29, 1938 ATTORNEY.

Jan. 28, 1941. E. A. FORD FLUID COMPRESSOR Fil edDec. 29. 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. EUGENE A. FORD BY (M $17 M ATTORNEY.

Jan. 28, 1941.

3 Sheets-sheaf. 3

INVENTOR.

, EUGENE A. FORD BY WM X/fl/Q.

ATTORNEY.

E. A. FORD 2,230,183

FLUID COMPRESSOR Patented Jan. 28, 1941 PATENT OFFICE FLUID COMPRESSOR Eugene A. Ford, Endicott, N. Y., assignor to Thomas J. Watson, New York, N. Y.

Application December 29, 1938, Serial No. 248,263

15 Claims.

This invention relates to fluid compressors andmore particularly to a mechanism for compressing air or other gaseous substance, primarily for use in'air conditioning apparatus.

A primary object of this invention is the provision of an improved compressor whereby air or analagous fluid may be compressed to a relatively high degree in a simple, economical and reliable manner.

A secondary object is the provision of such a compressor as above mentioned embodying integral means for simultaneously cooling the fluid to be compressed.

A still further object is the provision of a fluid compressor embodying the use of the centrifugal force of a second fluid of greater density, such centrifugal force being imparted to the second fluid by means of a rotor.

A further specific object is the provision of a mechanism for compressing air embodying the use of water wherein the air and water are thoroughly mixed upon entrance into the mechanism and then rotated at a relatively high speed and evicted through a plurality of tapered chambers to compress the air.

An additional specific object resides in the provision of an improved rotor embodying novel structural features for accomplishing the objects of this invention in an improved manner.

An additional specific object resides in the provision of an outlet for compressed air or other fluid and its compressing liquid positioned midway between the center and the periphery of a cylindrical casing whereby to provide a higher degree of compression through the action of vanes carried by the rotor upon the peripheral wall of the casing.

An additional specific object resides in the provision of means for controlling the quantity of both the fluid to be compressed and the compressing fluid whereby the ratio of one to the other may be varied as desired.

' A still further object is the provision of a system embodying a rotor, as hereinafter specified, whereby a compressing fluid is introduced into the rotor under pressure partially created by the action of the compressed fluid therein.

As conducive to a clearer understanding of this invention it may here be pointed out that applicant is aware that rotary compressors embodying fluids for compression purposes are known in the art. However, these devices as hitherto known are subject to a common disadvantage in that only a comparatively low degree of compression maybe obtained due to the fact that such devices employ only a single compression step. In the instant invention it is to be understood that compression occurs in two phases; first within a rapidly revolving rotor where air is forced toward the periphery thereof by centrifugal force and due to the configuration of the rotor, as will be set out hereinafter, compressed, and secondly after the air-has passed from the rotor into the casing therefor further compression is effected by means of vanes attached to the periphery of the rotor following and coacting with the contour of the casing.

Additionally, prior art devices have uniformly been provided with an outlet disposed at the periphery of the casing. Under such conditions it will be understood that no further compression of the air may be effected once the same has been ejected from the rotor adjacent the periphery of a casing. The outlet of the instant invention is positioned midway between the center of the casing and its periphery whereby the entire peripheral circumference of the casing may serve as an additional compression chamber. Accordingly due to the unique location of the outlet, it will be understood that as air and water; in the form of a mixture of water impregnated with minute air bubbles, settles to the bottom of the casing in so far as the rotation of the rotor and its associated vanes will permit, the air is gradually disassociated from the water due to its lesser specific gravity, rises to the escape aperture and passes therethrough to a storage chamber, all as will be more fully described hereinafter.

Other objects will in part be obvious and in part pointed out hereinafter.

The invention accordingly consists in the combinations of elements, arrangements of parts and features of construction all as will be more fully pointed out hereinafter and shown in the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of one form of air compressing system embodying the compressor of the instant invention,

Figure 2 is an enlarged end elevational view of the compressor as shown in Figure I viewed from the left,

Figure 3 is a sectional View taken substantially along the line 33 of Figure 2 as viewed from the right,

Figure 4 is a top elevational view of the rotor as seen in section in Figure 3,

Figure 5 is a fragmentary view of the rotor, certain parts thereof being broken away, and

Figure 6 is a detail sectional view showing a in the upper portion of tank I4.

portion of the rotor taken substantially along the line 66 of Figure 5.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

Having reference now to Figure 1 there is disclosed a closed air compressing and cooling system embodying the compressor of the instant invention. A compression device comprised of a casing in is provided with a water inlet I I, an air inlet l2 and an outlet I3 leading to a storage receptacle I4. Storage receptacle I4 is provided with an outlet l5 for compressed air, outlet l5, leading to a pressure operated valve l6 (see Figure 3) contained in a housing I! and provided with, a manual operating handle I 8. The air after passing valve l6 escapes through a pipe to any desired source of use. Chamber I4 is also provided with a second pipe 23 leading to any suitable cooling device 24 from which water is returned through an exit member 25 to inlet H to be reutilized.

While the construction herein described is a closed system reutilizing both air and Water if desired it is to be understood that under conditions where an unlimited quantity of water is readily available such water may be passed through the aperture once only and escape through outlet 2| to any desired drainage source.

A closed system, however, has one material advantage over an open system as above mentioned. This advantage res-ides primarily in the fact that in a closed system water passing from tank l4 through expansion tank 22 and cooler 24 and returning through pipe II to the rotor casing may, after original energization of the apparatus, be returned at relatively high pressure, corresponding to the pressure of the compressed air It will be seen that such air in tank l4 acts directly on the fluid, such as water in the lower portion of the tank and forces the same at equivalent pressure through the system to be returned to the rotor.

. The upper portion of tank 22 may contain air and such air is compressed as the fluid passes through the system under the impetus of the pressure in tank :4, whereupon the compressed air in tank 22 acts also upon the water or other fluid. Thus a material reduction of the power necessary to impart compression to the air admitted through pipe l2 to rotor casing I0 is effected, since the initial pressure of the water entering the tank is relatively high in accordance with the degree of compression of air 'within tank l4.

Having reference now more particularly to Figure 3 there is disclosed a sectional view of a rotor contained within casing I0 and adapted to be rotated at any desired speed by a drive shaft 31 connected to any suitable source of power (not shown) as for example an electric motor.

Shaft 3| is carried within a tubular casing 32 and journaled therein as by bearings 33 and 34. Secured to the inner end of shaft 3i as by a pin 35 is a semi-conical member 36 to which is secured, as by welding or in any other desired manner, rotor 30. The opposite side of rotor 30 abuts casing ll! in rotatable relation therewith and a suitable sealing means 40 is provided between the rotor and the casing. Corresponding sealing means 4! are provided between member 36 and its associated side of the casing. Air inlet l2 terminates in a member 42 journaled in an extending section 43 of easing I0 and termimates in a flared aperture 44 adjacent the point 45 of conical member 36. A helix or tapered thread 48 surrounds the circumference of member 42.

It will be seen that water inlet H terminates in an aperture 49 immediately adjacent member 42 and its associated helix 48.

Rotor 30 is provided, as best shown in Figures 5 and 6, with a plurality of interiorly disposed partitions 50 separating the rotor into a plurality of compartments each of which terminates in an aperture 5! (see Figure 4) at the rim of the rotor. It will further be seen, as best shown in Figure 6, that the central portion of the rotor adjacent the inlet for water and air is clear of partitions 50 whereby water and air admitted at this point may be diffused equally amongst the various compartments so provided. The configuration of the compartments is such that they are of substantially greater area at their base,

adjacent the air and water inlets, than at their apex adjacent apertures 5|. Thus air introduced therein and rotated by the rotation of the rotor emerges in a materially compressed state.

The exterior periphery of rotor 30 is provided with a plurality of transversely extending vanes adapted to act upon the air and water thrown outward to the rim of casing ID in such manner as to further compress the same.

Suitable regulating means, in this embodiment a taking the form of a butterfly valve 56, are provided in the air inlet passage to permit control of the amount of air so admitted. Additional means, in the form of a valve 51, are also provided in the water inlet.

From the foregoing the operation of the device should now be readily understood. Air and water are admitted through pipes 12 and II respectively under the control of valves 56 and 51 I respectively, to the interior or central aperture The centrifugal force evicts air and,

to the configuration these compartments as above mentioned, a material compression of the air. After the mixed air and water have been flung by centrifugal force into the casing adjacent the periphery thereof additional compression is imparted to the air by the action of the vanes 55 forcing the same together with the mixture of water against the tapered peripheral wall of the casing. A given portion of air in the form of finely diffused bubbles mixed with water settles eventually in the bottom of casing 10. Due 'to the lesser specific gravity of air a gradual separation of compressed air and water is effected. The

level of the water in casing 10 soon reaches the lower portion of aperture l3 and the dimensions thereof with respect to the inlet are such as to permit a relatively constant water level to be maintained, whereby the water, as used, flows.

into tank [4 and thence outward through outlet 2i to be reutilized or not, in accordance with the construction of the apparatus. is compressed in chamber [4 until a given predetermined degree of compression is achieved whereupon a portion of the air may escape Air meanwhile through pressure responsive valve l6 to any source for any desired purpose. Hand wheel l8 facilitates adjustment of the pressure to which valve I6 responds and if desired may be opened to permit the escape of all air above atmospheric pressure from tank 14.

While the apparatus herein set forth has been described as an air compressor it is to be understood that it may be equally advantageously used with other fluids as, for example, various gases and likewise another fluid than water may form the compression means.

It will therefore be seen that there is herein provided one form of apparatus achieving all the objects of this invention and others including many advantages of great practical utility.

As many embodiments may be made of this inventive concept and as many modifications may be made in the embodiment herein described and shown in the accompanying drawing as desired, it being understood that all matter herein set forth and shown is to be interpreted merely as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. In a fluid compressor, in combination, a casing, a hollow rotor in said casing, means permitting ingress of fluid to said rotor substantially centrally positioned therein, a second means permitting ingress of a fluid of greater density to said rotor positioned adjacent said first mentioned means, circumferentially disposed means forming apertures for the simultaneous ejection of both of said fluids from said rotor to said casing, projecting means disposed about the peripheral portion of said rotor closely conforming to a portion of the interior configuration of said casing, and means forming a fluid outlet in said casing between the center and the periphery thereof.

2. In a fluid compressor, in combination, a casing, a hollow rotor in said casing, means permitting ingress of fluid to said rotor substantially centrally positioned therein, a second means permitting ingress of a fluid of greater density to said rotor positioned adjacent said first mentioned means, circumferentially disposed means forming apertures for the simultaneous ejection of both of said fluids from said rotor to said casing, vanes carried by said rotor adjacent the periphery thereof and disposed in vertical relation to the plane of rotation of said rotor, and means forming a fluid outlet in said casing a substantial distance from the periphery thereof.

3. In a fluid compressor, in combination, a circular casing, a hollow rotor in said casing, the periphery of said rotor being positioned closely adjacent the inner periphery of said casing, means permitting ingress of fluid to said rotor substantially centrally positioned therein, a second means permitting ingress of a fluid of greater density to said rotor positioned adjacent said first mentioned means, circumferentially disposed means forming apertures for the simutlaneous ejection of both of said fluids from said rotor to said casing, means forming a fluid outlet in said casing a substantial distance from the periphery thereof and a storage receptacle adjacent said outlet for retaining both of said fluids evicted from said casing.

4. In a fluid compressor, in combination, a casing, a hollow rotor in said casing, means permitting ingress of fluid to said rotor substantially centrally positioned therein, a second means permitting ingress of a fluid of greater density to said rotor positioned adjacent said first mentioned means, circumferentially disposed means forming an aperture for the simultaneously ejection of both of said fluids from said rotor to said casing, vanes carried by said rotor adjacent the periphery thereof and disposed in vertical relation to the plane of rotation of said rotor, means forming a fluid outlet in said casing a substantial distance from the periphery thereof and a storage receptacle adjacent said outlet for retaining both of said fluids evicted from said casing.

5. In a fluid compressor, in combination, a circular casing tapered peripherally, a hollow rotor tapered adjacent its periphery positioned in said casing, means permitting ingress of fluid to said rotor substantially centrally positioned therein, a second means permitting ingress of a fluid of greater density to said rotor positioned adjacent said first mentioned means, circumferentially disposed means forming apertures for the simultaneous ejection of both of said fluids positioned at the apex of the taper of said rotor, projecting means disposed about the tapered peripheral portion of said rotor closely conforming to a portion of the interior configuration of said casing and an outlet in said casing between the periphery and the center thereof.

6. In a fluid compressor, in combination, a circular casing tapered peripherally, a hollow rotor tapered adjacent its periphery positioned in said casing, means permitting ingress of fluid to said rotor substantially centrally positioned therein, a second means permitting ingress of a fluid of greater density to said rotor positioned adjacent said first mentioned means, circumferentially disposed means forming apertures for the simultaneous ejection of both of said fluids positioned at the apex of the taper of said rotor, projecting means disposed about the tapered peripheral portion of said rotor closely conforming to a portion of the interior configuration of said casing and means forming a fluid outlet in a side of said casing between the periphery and the center thereof.

7. In a fluid compressor, in combination, a circular casing tapered peripherally, a hollow rotor tapered adjacent its periphery and positioned in said casing, means permitting ingress of fluid to said rotor substantially centrally positioned therein, a second means permitting ingress of a fluid of greater density to said rotor positioned adjacent said first mentioned means, circumferentially disposed means forming an aperture for the simultaneous ejection of both of said fluids positioned at the apex of the taper of said rotor, projecting means disposed about the tapered peripheral portion of said rotor closely conforming to a portion of the interior configuration of said casing, means forming a fluid outlet in a side of said casing between the periphery and the center thereof, and a storage tank disposed adjacent said outlet for the reception of both of said fluids.

8. In a fluid compressor, in combination, a casing, a hollow rotor in said casing, means permitting ingress of fluid to said rotor substantially centrally positioned therein, a plurality of radial partitions in said rotor, means forming apertures at the periphery of said rotor for each of said compartments formed by said partitions, the configuration of said rotor being such that said compartments so formed are of lesser cross sectional area adjacent said last mentioned apertures than adjacent said central means permiting ingress of fluid, whereby centrifugal action of said rotor compresses said fluid, and means forming an outlet in said casing a substantial distance from the periphery thereof.

9. In a fluid compressor, in combination, a casing, a hollow rotor in said casing, means permitting ingress of fluid to said rotor substantially centrally positioned therein, a second means adjacent said first mentioned means Permitting ingress of a fluid of greater specific gravity than said first mentioned fluid, a plurality of radial partitions in said rotor, means forming apertures in the periphery of said rotor for each of the compartments formed by said partitions, the configuration of said rotor being such that said compartments so formed are of less cross sectional area adjacent said last mentioned apertures than adjacent said central means permitting ingress of fluid, whereby centrifugal action compresses said fluid, and means forming an outlet in said casing for both of said fluids a substantial distance from the periphery thereof,

10. In a fluid compressor, in combination, a casing, a hollow rotor in said casing, means permitting ingress of fluid to said rotor substantially centrally positioned therein, a plurality of radial partitions in said rotor, means forming apertures at the periphery of said rotor for each of the compartments stormed by said partitions, the configuration of said rotor being such that said compartments so formed are of lesser cross sectional area adjacent said last mentioned apertures than adjacent said central means permitting ingress of fluid, whereby centrifugal action of said rotor compresses said fluid, vanes carried by said rotor disposed vertically with respect to the plane of rotation thereof about the periphery thereof and conforming closely to aportion of the interior configuration of the casing whereby an additional compression of the fluid between the rotor and the walls of said casing is efiected and means forming an outlet in said casing between the center and the bottom of the periphery thereof.

11. In a fluid compressor, in combination, a casing, a hollow rotor in said casing, means permitting ingress of fluid to said rotor substantially centrally positioned therein, a plurality of radial partitions in said rotor, means forming apertures at the periphery of said rotor for each of said compartments formed by said partitions, the configuration of said rotor being such that said compartments so formed are of lesser cross sectional area adjacent said last mentioned apertures than adjacent said central means permitting ingress of fluid, whereby said centrifugal action of said rotor compresses said fluid, vanes carried by said rotor disposed vertically with respect to the plane of rotation thereof, about the periphery thereof and conforming closely to a portion of the interior configuration of the casing whereby an additional compression of the fluid between the rotor and the walls of said casingis efiected and means forming an outlet in said casing relatively adjacent but below the center thereof.

12. In an air compressing device, in combination, a circular tapered casing, a rotor in said casing, means for admitting a mixture of air and water to the center of said rotor, means including the interior configuration of said rotor for compressing the air in said rotor, means for ejecting said mixture of air and water adjacent the periphery of said casing, means including the interior configuration of said casing and the exterior configuration of said rotor for further compressing said air and an outlet for said compressed air and water disposed in a side of said casing between its periphery and its center.

13. In an air compressing device, in combination, a circular tapered casing, a rotor in said casing, means for admitting a mixture of air' and water to the center of said rotor, means including the interior configuration of said rotor for compressing the air in said rotor, means for ejecting said mixture of air and water adjacent the periphery of said casing and means including the interior configuration of said casing and the exterior configuration of said rotor for further compressing said air and adjustable means for regulating the relative quantities of air and water admitted to and discharged from said casing. I

14. In an air compressing device, in combination, a circular tapered casing, a rotor in said casing, means for admitting a mixture of air and water to the center of said rotor, means including the interior configuration of said rotor for compressing the air in said rotor, means for ejecting said mixture of air and water adjacent the periphery of said casing and means including the interior configuration of said casing and the exterior configuration of said rotor for further compressing said air and means for regulating the relative quantities of air and water admitted to said casing and an outlet for said compressed air and water disposed in a side of said casing between its periphery and its center.

15. A fluid compressor comprising a rotor adapted to receive fluid and within which said fluid is compressed by centrifugal force upon rotation of the rotor, outlets for the compressed fluid adjacent the periphery of said rotor, a casing surrounding said rotor, meanson said rotor for further compressing the fluid between said rotor and the inner walls of said casing, and a delivery outlet for said fluid disposed in a side of said casing between its periphery and its center.

EUGENE A. FORD. 

